• More
Back to PopWatch Main
Complete Archive
Get Latest Headlines

How would you cast the 'GI Joe' movie?

Aug 27, 2007, 07:00 AM | by Gregory Kirschling

Categories: Film

Gi_l Help me out. What was the name of the G.I. Joe character from the 80’s, who wore a white ski suit and had a bushy red beard? He came with a pair of snow skis and, maybe, an Uzi? I spent a moment or two digging online, but then I got distracted by other stuff, and figured I’d just ask you P-Dubbers for help instead. So who was that guy?

Been thinking about him because he was my favorite G.I. character ever since that day, like, 23 years ago (or whenever it was) when my grandma took me to ShopKo one afternoon and bought me his action figure. And I hope he gets to be in the upcoming G.I. Joe movie. The project hit the fast track today, with the news that Stephen Sommers (of The Mummy movies fame) will be directing. What do you think — is it gonna be bigger than Transformers? Will Owen Wilson get to play Duke? How about Amy Adams as Scarlett? Maybe Tracy Morgan as Roadblock, for that note of levity? And whatever that red-bearded guy was called, how about Seth Rogen plays him? Just kidding. Better I should just ask: who would you like to cast in the G.I. Joe movie?

And before we go: speaking of, like, 23 years ago, how about this Dallas movie with John Travolta? Now’s it’s a Betty Thomas comedy? What the heck?

walter cherry Thu, Oct 23, 2008 at 05:04 PM EST

michael beihn as hawk
wesley shane winter as grunt, cobra soldier and firefly
mario lopez as zap
walter jones as stalker
jeremy winter as short fuze, cobra lt. and crimson guard
jared torbit as flash cobra soldier, and scrap iron
james henry frame III as breaker
mark paul gosselaar as rock n roll
amy jo johnson as scarlet
jason david frank as snake eyes
sean baldwin as clutch
robert dryer as grand slam
peter greene as steeler
kevin spirtas as ace
carl weathers as doc
britney spears as cover girl
jessie ventura as gung ho
judson scott as airborne
steve zhan as wild bill
greggory scott cummins as snow job
erik estrada as torpedo
howie long as duke
linden ashby as flint
melinda clark as lady jaye
lynn red wiliams as roadblock
chris conrad as mutt
thom mathews as blowtorch
robert john burke as recondo
sonny landham as spirit
jeff fahey as shipwreck
walter cherry as cobra commander and thunder
brian thompson as destro
kate beckensale as baroness
richard norton as major bludd
russell crowe as zartan
clive owen as torch
hugh jackman as ripper
jason statham as buzzer
bill goldberg as golabulas
hillary swank as pythona
mark calloway as ramar
liv tyler as selina
sandra hess as honda lu west
david strathairn as col. sharp
william forsythe as general flagg
lance legault as general howe
charles napier as general franks
josh brolin as admerial ledger
and jack hogan as dr. vandemeer

Mon, Jun 2, 2008 at 02:39 PM EST

frostbite

lxvpwdrtm nyghlui Mon, Feb 25, 2008 at 07:35 AM EST

qmacl qdyxra wuigxtc xkwbre ncsr tpnovl ngrodbku

TJR Mon, Jan 14, 2008 at 06:28 AM EST

I think James Van Der Beek should play the role of Dusty. He kinda looks like him... based on a cross between Van Der Beek's roles in Varsity Blues and Texas Rangers.

Neoray Sun, Jan 13, 2008 at 12:05 AM EST

Neal McDonough should play Duke no question about it, the age and looks are uncanny and way better that Mark Wallberg, lol.

ok, whos the dummy who got Marlon Waynes to play Ripcord?

are you blind?....Ripcord is white....if your going to make a movie make it right!!!

d. tanner Wed, Jan 9, 2008 at 02:36 AM EST

Duke-Mark Wahlberg
Flint-Ben Afflack
Cobra-Willem DeFoe
Roadblock-Ving Rhames
Heavy Duty-Michael Jai White(sumone been cast for that role thought)
Gung Ho-Goldberg or Stone Cold
Tunnel Rat-Heath Ledger
Destro-with the mask and voice Michael Clark Ducan
Zartan-Christian Bale
General Hawk-Don Johnson
Dr. Mindbender-Rob Zombie
Stalker-Jamie Foxx
Snake eye-Jet li..if he was a tab bit younger ^_^


The Egoist Sun, Jan 6, 2008 at 07:42 AM EST

Assuming their adapting the comic book rather than the show (which is a good assumption as the show was really not good and the comic book was extremely complex and well written), they have to tell the foundation story.

So you need to cast the stars:
Snake Eyes- who will only put on a mask at the end of the movie and who will speak throughout.
Cobra Commander- who will likewise not put on a mask till the end of the movie.

Essential characters:
Scarlett
Storm Shadow (pre-mask as well)

Characters to drive action:
Hawk or Duke or Flint (whichever one you want to make the ex-CO of Snake Eyes and Storm Shadows LRRP unit)
Cobra Commander's brother
Snake Eyes' family

At the end you can introduce whichever Joes you want for the sequel.
Ditto with the Cobras.

The Egoist Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 03:17 PM EST

Are they adapting the comic book or the show? That makes a big difference in casting since Snake Eyes was barely a character in the show but was the chief protaganist in the comic book.

Any decent martial artist could play the part he had in the show. But an actor would have to be really, really good to carry the movie without speaking.

The Egoist Sat, Jan 5, 2008 at 03:17 PM EST

Are they adapting the comic book or the show? That makes a big difference in casting since Snake Eyes was barely a character in the show but was the chief protaganist in the comic book.

Any decent martial artist could play the part he had in the show. But an actor would have to be really, really good to carry the movie without speaking.

Robert Tue, Jan 1, 2008 at 12:32 PM EST

Hawk------------ Kurt Russell
duke------------ Mark Wahlberg or Matt Damon
scarlett----- Jessica Beil
snake eyes------ray park
road block------micheal clark duncan
gung ho----------Steve Austin
doc-------------terrance howard
breaker--------- Eric Bana
Clutch- Dane Cook (he has the look and Clutch is a smart ass)
stalker---------Omar Epps
wild bill------- Matt Mccoghany
cobra commander---Gary Oldman
major blood-------Vinne Jones
baroness----------angie jolie
destro---------Micheal Dorn
storm shadow-----Jason Scott Lee
zartan-----------Mickie Rourke
dr mindbinder-----Jean Reno
firefly-----------thomas jane
dreadnaughts------ ???

Quick Kick Wed, Nov 21, 2007 at 03:52 PM EST

Shaq as Roadblock

jay Sun, Nov 18, 2007 at 12:12 PM EST

Hawk------------ dale dye
duke------------ samuel l jackson
scarlett----- laura prepon
lady jay----ali liter or jessica alba
flint------------mark wahlberg
snake eyes------ray park
beach head------the rock
road block------micheal clark duncan
gung ho----------goldberg
doc-------------terrance howard
brecker---------seth green
stalker---------weasly snipes
wild bill------- dennis hopper
flagg----------sean connery

cobra commander---mark hamill
major blood-------russel crow
baroness----------angie jolie
destro---------kevin nash
storm shadow-----jet li
zartan-----------hugh jackman
dr mindbinder-----jessie ventura
firefly-----------thomas jane
dreadnaughts------triple h
sean micheals
john cina
crimson twins----- johnny depp

Joe Dude Tue, Sep 25, 2007 at 02:55 PM EST

I don't know if this guy should play Storm Shadow in the movie, but this recreation of him in this skit is hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dl11HCsg0M

Lance Fri, Sep 7, 2007 at 01:53 PM EST

Amy Adams as Scarlet? Thats a good one. I did not think of that, and I already made my dream cast for the movie. Complete with Pix. Check it out here. http://bingbongtables.com/news/bingbong_joes.html

Dale Twigg Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 12:24 AM EST

I could see Sam Elliot as Hawk.
Ray Parks as Snake Eyes
Sho Kusugi for Storm Shadow (His head is covered)
Matthew Mc(spelling)hay as Duke
Thomas Jane as Flint
Samuel L as as Stalker
Vinnie Jones as Zartan
Jennifer Garner as Scarlett
Rick Steiner (TNA Wresling) Mutt
Tom Sizemore as Leatherneck
Laurence Fishburn as Destro
Kate Beckinsale as Baroness
Jim Carey as Cobra Commander
Christian Bale as the Crimson Twins
Michael Clark Duncan as Roadblock

Janet Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:21 PM EST

"No" vote on Jennifer Garner for Scarlett - do not enjoy watching her any more. Like the Daniel Craig and Simon Baker suggestions.

Mr. Williams Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 07:44 PM EST

A GI: Joe Live Action Film coming soon to theater near you - it's about time. Who should star in it? First off, you should only use six Joes:
Duke - Kurt Russell
Scarlett - Jennifer Garner
Stalker - Jamie Foxx
Snake Eyes - Jason Statham
Gung-Ho - Bruce Willis
Recondo - Tom Selleck
And only Angelina Jolie can play the Baroness.

Lucas Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 07:42 PM EST

Hugo Weaving, the guy who did Megatron's voice in the movie would be a great Cobra commander.

Dan R% Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 05:19 PM EST

Duke - Viggo Mortensen
Snake Eyes - Jason Scott Lee (is he around?)
Road Block - Tiny Lister
Scarlett - Amy Adams
Flint - Brandon Routh
Gung-Ho - The Rock

Bad guys

Cobra Commander - Depp would be inspired
Destro - Clive Owen
Baroness - Monica Bellucci
Storm Shadow - Andy Leung
Zartan - Patrick Wilson
Major Bludd - Vinnie Jones

Snarf Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 04:56 PM EST

Laurence Fishburne - Destro
Hugo Weaving - Cobra Commander
Jolene Blalock - The Baroness
Arron Eckhart - Duke
Jennifer Garner - Scarlett
Channing Tatum - Dusty

Jeff Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 03:21 PM EST

I've always thought Kiefer Sutherland would be a great Duke, but Neal McDonough is a good call.

Mark Wahlberg as Flint is good, as is Famke Janssen for the Baroness.

Maybe get Jason Statham and Timothy Olyphant roles too.

The movie will be treated as fairly as any other large, big-budgeted popcorn seat-filler (take that as you will), but hopefully the script will be true to the core of the series and its characters. Fans of JOE are mostly the same as TRANSFORMERS and in the wake of the TF movie's success, this project is now alive and kicking.

FYI: As stated, the red-bearded character in the snowsuit is Snow Job. He was originally voiced by ROB PAULSEN, who also voiced Pinky from "Pinky and the Brain", Raphael from "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles", and is currently heard in tv commercials as "Mr. Opportunity".

jason Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 03:06 PM EST

i'd pick ving rhames for roadblock. tracy morgan, seriously? no wilson brothers, no!! scarlett johannsen should be scarlett. as far as it being a hit, only if it's good. i like janice dickinson for the baroness though. johnny depp as cobra commander is genius.

daisyj Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 02:27 PM EST

I nominate Elle Fanning and Spencer Breslin for the kids at the end who learn that playing in abandoned refrigerators is a bad idea.

Because knowing is half the battle!

Pouncer Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 02:26 PM EST

I am so excited about this movie. GI Joe was ever my favorite cartoon (not a comics gal, but I was addicted to toons after school). Snake Eyes was always my favorite, but when Boomerang reran Joe a couple of years back (and I still sniffle that they stopped), I was struck by the incendiary chemistry between Duke and the Baroness. Romeo and Juliet for the modern age? I think so.

Kessel Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 01:53 PM EST

Well your all forgetting the classic ninja battles between Snake-eyes and Storm Shadow. Crispen Glover as Snake-eyes (since he seems fairly wirey) And the guy who plays the new Chairman in Iron Chef America as Storm Shadow.

Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 01:49 PM EST

If this was being made 20 years ago Lou Gosset Jr would have been great as Roadblock. Also either Angelina or Famke Jannsen as Baroness. I like the Depp as Cobra Comander suggestion.

Dinosaur Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:36 PM EST

Yep - that was Snow Job. He joined the team in issue #11 of the comic, along with Doc, Gung-ho, Airborne, and Wild Bill.

Now if I could only remember my kids' birthdays...

Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

Terry Crews as Roadblock. Mark Walberg as Flint. Jackie Chan as Quickkick. I can think of more later

Greg Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:15 PM EST

For a huge depository of useless GI Joe knowledge, go to yojoe.com a ton of pictures and other GI Joe stuff.

MattG Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:03 PM EST

I think Owen Wilson would be a good Dusty. I somehow see Bruce Willis as Duke and Michael Clarke Duncan as Roadblock.

Suzanne Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:03 PM EST

Who cares about GI Joe. Where's the Rock of Love recap?

Scott M. Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:54 AM EST

Yeah I agree hearing the Sommers is involved at such a high level does not instill me with hope... Did anyone think Van Helsing was good? It wasn't even so-bad-it's-good bad. And I dig Brendan Fraser, but if the guy made one more "damn mummies" one liner I was gonna have to shoot him myself. Please don't rape my childhood Mr. Sommers.

Ceballos Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:44 AM EST

Based on that photo, I'd probably have to go with, from left, Alicia Witt, Neal McDonough and the guy Indiana Jones fights near that rotating plane in "Raiders of the Lost Ark."


Seriously though...Neal McDonough would be good.

GeeMoney Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:14 AM EST

Tomax and Xamot! That's their names.

GeeMoney Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:08 AM EST

Cole and Dylan Sprouse as those two twin guys where when one got hurt, the other one felt it! Ha ha.

Jimmy Smits Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 11:05 AM EST

This guy should definitely play Snake Eyes.

http://www.neoengel.com

Chip Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 10:49 AM EST

George Clooney as Hawk! Johnny Depp as Cobra Commander! Clive Owen as Destro! Johnny Lee Miller as Major Bludd. Famke Janssen as Scarlett. Simon Baker as Snake Eyes. Kiefer Sutherland as Duke. Cate Blanchett as the Baroness. Taye Diggs as Stalker. I've been secretly casting this in my mind for years.

Marc Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 10:27 AM EST

oh my god Ed I love your shower scene idea. Let's turn GI Joe into the gayess movie ever!

Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 09:39 AM EST

If it's directed by Stephen Sommers, it will suck...look at the mans track record - The Mummy, The Mummy 2, Van Helsing.

Michelle Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 09:38 AM EST

Check out this website for an astonishing and slightly disturbing thorough background on GI Joe and every single character:
http://www.myuselessknowledge.com/joe/carchive.html

TAYENYC Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 09:34 AM EST

I think they should go with a younger cast - think a more comic like Jarhead, and cast Channing Tatum as Duke and Scarlett Johansson as Scarlett. Or, maybe Anne Hathaway.

Ed Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 08:32 AM EST

The best pick would have to be Daniel Craig. Let's make sure the movie includes a shower scene with full frontal when all the G.I Joes take a shower together.

NineDaves Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 08:16 AM EST

Just as long as Scarlett isn't played by Jessica Beil, Jessica Alba, or Jennifer Garner, I'll be happy!

Marc Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 07:37 AM EST

Put Matt Damon rippled body as the head of GI Joe... and Janice Dickenson as Cobra Commander

perezhilton Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 07:20 AM EST

Owen Wilson may not be stable enough for a job right now.....

Chris Miller Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 06:49 AM EST

It was Snow Job alright.

http://www.yojoe.com/action/83/snowjob.shtml

G.I. Joe had an awful lot of snow troopers: Snow Job, Iceberg, Blizzard, Frostbite, Windchill, Cold Front, Sub-Zero...

Yo JOE Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 06:40 AM EST

It was Snow Job. The guy you posted came much later and obviously doesn't have a beard. He was also spoofed in a classic Robot Chicken sketch.

ward Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 06:18 AM EST

Blizzard. From GI Joe website:
http://joes.propadeutic.com/1988.html#Figures

advertisement

Add Your Comments

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject — or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.



  • 1000 characters remaining
      • When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.
Copyright ©2008 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved.